William G. Van Dyke

Carlson School of Management, September 22, 2011

William G. Van Dyke, native of Minnesota, received a bachelor of arts in economics from the College of Liberal Arts (1968) and a master of business administration from the Carlson School of Management (1976) at the University of Minnesota. After being honorably discharged and awarded the Bronze Star for bravery and meritorious service from the United States Army, he completed his master's degree and joined Donaldson Company, Inc. in 1977 as Corporate Controller, a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. He quickly moved up the ranks to become the vice president and general manager of Donaldson Company, Inc. Industrial Group before taking leadership as the president and chief operating officer in 1994. He became Donaldson Company's chairman, president and chief executive officer in 1996 and continued in that role until 2005 when he became chairman, Board of Directors of Donaldson Company, Inc. Over the course of a 28-year career, he led Donaldson Company, Inc. through a significant global expansion. The Company soared to new heights and in 2000 it surpassed the $1 billion mark in revenue. His dedication to business and civic engagement is evident through his passion for giving back. He is an active board member of Alliant Technology, Graco, and Polaris Industries. He has served as an executive committee member on the Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, a member of the marketing committee of the United Way of the Twin Cities, and as a trustee for Dunwoody College of Technology. He also serves as chair of Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on the Central and Phillips neighborhoods of South Minneapolis. In 1997, he was recognized for his significant achievements and contributions by the College of Liberal Art's Alumni of Notable Achievement Program. In addition, he has demonstrated his dedication to the University of Minnesota by serving as a member of the Carlson School of Management's Board of Overseers.